With much of the world rallying around his country's unprecedented run, a member of the Moroccan diaspora says that "to me, we already won the World Cup."
[impromptu pep rallies](https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20221207-moroccans-across-the-world-celebrate-historic-world-cup-victory-over-spain). [5 million expatriates](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-51237-8_13) live in France than anywhere else. [a photographer](https://www.instagram.com/abdelaliessaouis/?hl=en) who lives in Montreal, home to the largest Moroccan community in North America. 22 team](https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/mar), defied the odds to become one of the World Cup's final four. "This will also forever change the mindset of Moroccans and other Africans, that winning and achieving is a possibility." The historic run also is thrilling far-flung Moroccans, giving them new reason to be proud of their home nation.
Defending world champions end Morocco's World Cup dreams and book their place in the final.
His shot bounced off Abde Ezzalzouli into the path of Muani, who tapped it in. Mbappe managed to pick up a loose Moroccan pass in midfield, bringing it into a congested Moroccan box. It was the first goal Morocco had conceded to an opposition player at the World Cup in Qatar. At the break, France were ahead but Morocco’s Atlas Lions were the ones roaring. Hakim Ziyech shot wide in the 15th minute after a sweet breakaway from Morocco’s box. This was comfortably dealt with by Lloris but gave the Moroccans a sense of momentum.
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The idea that Morocco could co-host the 2030 World Cup with near-neighbors Spain and Portugal seemed a bit crazy when it was floate...
“There is no reason for European teams to be better than us,” Lekjaa said. [the 2026 tournament hosting vote](https://apnews.com/article/moscow-north-america-international-soccer-united-states-sports-africa-71e70169ac9343839436613b7d8dbb31) to the heavily favored United States-Canada-Mexico plan. “Rather, it is a relationship in which civilizations can meet and cultures meet.” The South American soccer body CONMEBOL has just 10 votes at FIFA. By comparison, uniting Spain, Portugal and Morocco looks more logical. “In order to show the world that the relationship between Africa and Europe is not only the relationship of illegal immigration and the fight against it,” Lekjaa said.
The idea that Morocco could co-host the 2030 World Cup with near-neighbors Spain & Portugal seemed crazy when it was floated four years ago.
“There is no reason for European teams to be better than us,” Lekjaa said. The South American soccer body CONMEBOL has just 10 votes at FIFA. By comparison, uniting Spain, Portugal and Morocco looks more logical. Lekjaa, a government minister in charge of the state budget, now has more influence at FIFA as an African elected delegate on its ruling Council since joining last year. So is the support of King Mohammed VI, who immediately asked for a renewed World Cup bid when Morocco lost the 2026 tournament hosting vote to the heavily favoured United States-Canada-Mexico plan. “Rather, it is a relationship in which civilizations can meet and cultures meet.”
An epic soccer showdown took place between two French-speaking nations on Wednesday as Morocco and France faced off in Qatar to determine a spot in the ...
“We made history, it’s the first time in African history for a team to reach the semifinals,” said Oussa. “We are going to win a second time,” he added, predicting a defeat of Argentina Sunday. “We’re very proud of Morocco, obviously, for making it to this point,” said Boufrari, who lived in Morocco until she was 20. “It was a crazy game; Morocco has a great team. Sara Deis, 26, originally from Tunisia, said before the kickoff that emotions were especially high because France was the opposing team. “They are winning, but we can still come back,” Mohamed Reffi said after France took an early lead.
France substitute Randal Kolo Muani had come on only seconds earlier and with his first touch assured the defending champions of a second straight World Cup ...
Morocco had already made history by joining the United States and South Korea as the only teams from outside soccer's two dominant continents to get this far. With the defence hurting, France was able to take an early lead. The team that has provided the most improbable story of this year's World Cup got off to a terrible start. Romain Saiss, another central defender and the team's captain, only lasted a little while longer. The theme of Morocco's run has been that anything is possible. It got even louder as the French national anthem was played, coming close to drowning out the stadium's loudspeaker system.